Page 46 of Monsters, Vows, and Growls
Well, since she put it that way, maybe she was right. I had never given her and Gabe's relationship much thought. They were like cats and dogs, like fire and ice. Before I could say anything, Henry said, “That’s because you were right, and he hated it.”
I coughed loudly. “Dad, maybe we don’t?—”
Carol cut in. “You think setting me up with Gabe is a good idea?”
“I think,” my father said, licking powdered sugar off his thumb, “that it would be the greatest decision either of you ever made. You just would have to survive each other long enough to realize it.”
Ella, who had left to make more coffee, returned. Sensing the tension, she asked carefully. “What’s happening?”
“Your future father-in-law is matchmaking again,” I muttered.
“With your future brother-in-law,” Carol added flatly.
Ella blinked. “Oh my God. No one let Henry or Gabe talk to Carol after the cake tastings. Or near knives.”
Dad grinned and raised his donut. “To family.”
Three months later,and somehow, we’d made it.
The restaurant was done.
Smoke & Emberwas like a dream come true. To be honest, I was even more in love with it than with my other two restaurants, and it had nothing to do with Patrick—besides his architectural style. I loved the menu and the simplicity; I loved every little detail, like how the napkins were bound in twigs, how the mugs were made out of wood, the little wildflower arrangements on the tables—fresh every day, and the last guests got to take them home. The patrons seemed to love it as much as I did; the place was booked out already for three months.
It had been keeping me busy, but Evan was a gem and handled the other two as if they were his own. I was contemplatingoffering him a partnership; that way, I could fully focus onSmoke & Ember. I’d talk to him about it soon. Today, though, instead of considering my staff, pacing the dining room, or double-checking the line cooks, I was waiting for Carol to pick me up.
My wedding dress had needed a few alterations, as had her maid of honor dress, and we were headed to a final fitting session. She showed up precisely on time, because of course she did, blastingLizzothrough her car speakers and waving a half-empty coffee like she’d just won the lottery. I slid into the passenger seat. “Hey.”
“You ready to cry over fabric?” she asked. “Because I’m emotionally prepped, and my boobs look amazing.”
I grinned. “Youdolook like you’re about to pose for a fantasy football bridal calendar.”
“Thanks. That’s the look I was going for. Bride adjacent with a hint ofdominates the bachelorette scavenger hunt.”
We took off down the road toward the boutique, and she launched right into talking about Ben.Ben, the new guy she’d been seeing for the past few weeks. A paramedic with a rescue dog, an irrational fear of ducks, and a body that came straight out of a fireman calendar.
“He’s funny. He listens. And he does this thing with his hands when he’s thinking where he rubs the inside of his wrist, and I swear to God, it’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”
I gave her a side-eye. “You are absolutely using that poor man as a shield.”
Carol blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Against Gabe.”
Her mouth snapped shut.
“I know you,” I said. “You talk about Ben like he’s great—and maybe he is—but every time someone even breathes Gabe’s name, you lock up like a raccoon caught with a glitter pen.”
“I do not,” she said, adjusting her sunglasses unnecessarily.
“Youdo.And now you’re dating a hot paramedic, just in time to have a plus-one atmywedding. Where Gabe will be. Lookingverysingle. Probably in a suit.”
She muttered something that sounded suspiciously like, “This is why I hate you.”
“You love me.”
“I do. And I hate you. It’s a delicate balance.”
I smiled and leaned back in my seat. “You realize I’m putting you two at the same table, right?”
